A PROJECT to bring Kirklees Council services into people's homes through cable television have been hailed a success.

Five hundred homes took part in trials of the INtouch Kirklees project, which may also become available to satellite viewers in the New Year.

Viewers could get information about local public services 24 hours a day and use their remote control or keyboards to e-mail messages to officials.

An independent report said the project successfully demonstrated that interactive digital television was a feasible way of providing council, health and other public services.

The report by Colin Smith, of Huddersfield University, and William Webster, of Stirling University, said that, on the whole, people who took part in the project found INtouch was easy to use and useful.

They also liked the idea of e-voting in the future using digital television.

Most people agreed the technology made it easier to access public services and more aware of what was on offer.

Kirklees Council leader Clr Kath Pinnock said: "This pilot project has been unique in that it has involved local residents in a very positive and constructive way.

"It is just one example of the many ways in which the council and its partners are harnessing the power of communications technology to work towards providing better access to services for local people."

Although the pilot scheme finished on June 30, the INtouch site is still available on NTL cable television due to extended Government funding and will continue until at least the end of March 2004.

It is hoped it will also become available for 55,000 Sky digital viewers early in the New Year.